Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 2nd day part 1

I traveled to Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture, for 4 days and 3 nights. The main purpose of this trip was to watch Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 on the last 2 days. My favorite Milan, which is the mascot character of Ehime Prefecture, did not participate in the contest, but entertained other local mascot characters and the audience as a host of the event with Barysan, Imabari city’s mascot character. I also participated in a PR event for the Grand Prix and did some sightseeing. In this article, I will write about Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 (2nd Day part 1) as part of Day 4.

It was the 4th day (i.e. the final day) of my trip to Matsuyama, Ehime. The main objective was to watch Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 and I went for a walk in the morning before it.

Walking around Matsuyama City station

It took about 10 minutes from the hotel I stayed to Matsuyama City station and I went around while taking pictures of trams.

Minami Horibata tram station.

Matsuyma City station. Since it was the last startion, I was able to take a variety of photos.

Personally, I like the tram in Matsuyama city the best among trams in local cities in Japan 🙂

Hotel JAL City Matsuyama

I checked out the hotel. This time, I stayed at Hotel JAL City Matsuyama.

The biggest reason I chose Hotel JAL City Matsuyama was because the hotel was close to the site of Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 (Shiroyama Park), and other than it, I found the hotel was easily accesssible to public transportation.

In addition to that, the hotel had a variety of menu for its buffet breakfast.

When treveling to Matsuyama, many travellers stay at either Dogo Onsen area or Okaido, the largest entartainment area in Matsuyama, but I also recommend Hotel JAL City Matsuyama in Nishi Horibata.

Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016

Now I started to watch Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016, 2nd day (final day). Although I arrived at the site about 20 minutes before the event started, there was already a long queue.

Ambassador Stage (Barysan and Kumamon)

As the first event in the morning, ambassador stages were held by Barysan and Kumamon, both of whom had got the grand prix before. To begin with, there was a Barysan’s show.

A woman on the right side had Barysan’s frieind, “Iyonosukesan”.

Barysan wore a crown, a belly-warmer tie and a wallet.

Zoom in Barysan.

Then, Kumamon’s show. Before the show, Kumamon went down to the stage and communicated with audience.

Now Kumamon’s show started.

This time, Kumamon’s friend, Korokun joined the event.

First, Kumamon was introduced.

Then, Korokun was introduced.

Kumamon and Korokun danced together to the music of “Kumamon Exercise”.

Despite their chubby body, their dance was so fast and energetic.

PR time for corporate sponsors

After ambassador stage by Baryand and Kumamon, there was PR time for corporate sponsors and I continued to watch it for a while. First, “Panjakun”, Japan Agricultural (JA) Co-operatives Bank Ehime’s character.

Mican joined the stage.

Next, “Solato-kun”, Taikyo Oil’s character. Since the company had a branch in Imabari, Barysan also appeared on the stage.

I moved to the goroumet zone to have a quick and early lunch.

I ate “Jakoten Katsu Rice Burger”.

Yuru-chara sports festival (Egao Dance)

After lunch, I moved to Shiroyama stage to watch Yuru-chara sports festival.

Yuru-chara sports festival was held to promote National Sports Fesrtival which will be held in Ehime Prefecture next year. On the 2nd day, local mascot characters danced “Egao Dance”, the official dance of National Sports Fesrtival.

Here are snap photos.

Other snaps

After Yuru-chara sports festival (Egao Dance), I walked around each booth.

Yuru-chara collection

When I moved back to Shiroyama stage, a fashion show (“Yuru-chara collection”) was held. Local mascot characters were divided into two groups and here are group photos.

The first group.

The second group.

I continued to watch Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 and write about the rest of part in the next article.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 2nd day part 1 as part of Day 4. Here is the official video of “Egao Dance”.

And this is another version where Mican and Dark Mican danced.

In the next article, I will write about Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 (2nd Day part 2) .

Owner

Hi my name is kosu, a Japanese. I am writing a travel photo blog using SONY’s α7 III. Through my experience of living abroad, I have rediscovered goodness in Japan and traveled all over Japan to look for beautiful Japanese scenery (- though I sometimes travel oversees as well ☺). Recently, Mican, a local mascot character (“Yuru-chara”) in Ehime Prefecture, is my favorite. I would appreciate it if you could have interest in visiting Japan though my blog.
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